Chasing Humility: 8 Ways to Shape a Christian Heart

by Joel Stepanek

Overview

Joel Stepanek grew up believing that humility required shunning success, never accepting praise, and embracing a crummy life so that God would reward him in heaven. Then he became successful—at being a missionary. On a quest to find balance, Stepanek discovered powerful wisdom hidden within a nineteenth-century prayer that radically changed his life: the Litany of Humility. He shows you what he has learned about true Christian humility and how to right-size your expectations for living this crucial virtue.

As Stepanek, director of resource development at Life Teen, began to study and pray with the Litany of Humility, he discovered a pattern for spiritual growth that now anchors the way he lives. In Chasing Humility, he helps you explore eight essential aspects of humility in the life of a Christian: authenticity, confidence, gratitude, love, praise, empowerment, mentoring, and breaking barriers.

In addition to humorous and engaging stories and theological reflections, each chapter gives you practical exercises for spiritual growth such as:

• creating an authenticity diagram to explore how you see yourself, how you think God sees you, and how you believe others do;
• learning to keep a gratitude journal; and
• developing habits of speech that acknowledge and praise others for successes, rather than remaining focused on your own accomplishments.

This book will not only help you to understand and embrace the importance of humility, but teach you to love the virtue as well.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594718960
Publisher:	Ave Maria Press
Publication date:	04/05/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	NOOK Book
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	600,487
File size:	734 KB

About the Author

Joel Stepanek is the vice president of parish services at Life Teen International where he guides teams that support Catholic parishes in creating and sustaining vibrant youth ministries. He is an internationally sought-after speaker and the author or coauthor of a number of books, including Chasing Humility, True North, The Greatest Job on Earth, and The 99. He also is a contributing writer for The Youth Cartel and Youth Specialities.

Stepanek earned a master’s degree in religious education with an emphasis in youth and young adult ministry from Fordham University and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Colorado State University. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

He and his wife, Colleen, live in Gilbert, Arizona, with their children.

Table of Contents

Introduction ix

1 Being Authentic 1

2 Growing Confidence 19

3 Being Grateful for Today 37

4 Loving Others 53

5 Giving Praise 71

6 Empowering Those around Me 91

7 Becoming the Mentor 103

8 Breaking Boundaries 117

Conclusion 129

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“In Chasing Humility, Joel Stepanek does a masterful job giving the reader practical steps for cultivating authentic humility. Drawing on scripture, engaging stories, and good old common sense, this book is funny and wise, raw and relatable. Stepanek’s insights offer a soul-stirring read to any soul looking to improve. The question isn’t whether we need to be humble, but who can be humble enough to do something about it. This book is the perfect way to grow in holiness and ultimately, happiness, one achievable step at a time.” —Mark Hart, Executive Vice President, Life Teen International

“Joel Stepanek’s voice and vision are incredibly needed in the Catholic Church today. With clarity, joy, and a sharp intellect, he unpacks the virtue of humility in a way that is accessible and inspiring for people at all levels of faith. What a gift this book will be to anyone who picks it up!” —Emily Wilson Hussem, Catholic musician, speaker, and author of Go Bravely

“This book was like a punch to the gut—a much needed, very welcome, life-changing gut punch. It is bold, honest, and raw. Joel has given us an absolutely delightful read that is also really challenging, and it was just what we (and so many others) need to be reminded of the necessity to both seek humility and live and walk humbly with the Lord. Read this book. Absorb this book. Let Joel and his words on humility sucker-punch you and you’ll be so grateful.” —Katie Prejean McGrady and Tommy McGrady, Catholic speakers and cohosts of The Electric Waffle

“Joel Stepanek highlights for us the proper and sacred space of humility in the Christian life. Exploring the Litany of Humility, he provides a delightful roadmap for embracing the virtue not as a weakness but as a strength in our personal prayer lives and leadership outreach. There could not be a better time for leaders to be reintroduced to the virtue of humility in a world that very often values self-centeredness over seeing and supporting others.” —Rev. Dan Felton, Vicar General, Diocese of Green Bay